As expected, our fridge is filled with leftovers from yesterday. Though there were only three of us, Heather and I made enough food for at least 8. Guess what Dan and I will be eating for the next 3 weeks?
I’m going to need to mix it up. I can’t eat the same thing every day for that long, no matter how delicious it is. Let’s get creative, shall we?
First, take stock of what you have leftover. In my leftover arsenal:
Turkey (which wasperfectly roasted, if I may say so myself), homemade turkey gravy, and cherry butter instead of the traditional cranberry sauce.
Roasted brussels sprouts (though only a few are left) and glazed carrots. Caramelized onion mashed potatoes. Which Heather and I agreed were life-changing (thanks again for the recipe, Emily!)
Whole wheat rolls and butternut squash & apple stuffing. Funny story about the stuffing: I didn’t whisk the eggs into the stock well enough, so there was fried egg sitting on top of the stuffing instead of the egg getting soaked in. Still tasted fine, at least!
Caramel pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream, which may not make it past tonight.
Next, find some recipes that will use multiple ingredients from your arsenal. I’m eyeing…
Personal pot pies, using the gravy I already have instead of the one in the recipe
Turkey pot pies with cornbread crust from Can You Stay For Dinner?, using our leftover veggies instead of the ones called for
Turkey,brie and cranberry quesadillas from How Sweet Eats, though I’ll use cherry butter instead
Shepherd’s pie
Spinach & glazed carrot salad topped with turkey and stuffing “croutons”
Turkey and goat cheese enchiladas (recipe to come!)
My gramma’s turkey tetrazzini (recipe to come!)
[Source]
As well as some dishes that use just one or two of your leftovers:
[Source]
With all these recipes, it will be nearly impossible to get bored with your leftovers. Happy eating!
What are you doing with your leftovers?
Purdy placemats!
The turkey pot pies with cornbread crust look like a killer, killer find. But selfishly, I want to see you make those goat cheese enchiladas and post the recipe because, yum.
I actually have no leftovers. We left all the food, save a cake and a pie, with my aunt and uncle, who live by themselves. Including at least 9 lbs of turkey. The turkey is especially notable because my aunt is a vegetarian.
Your uncle has a LOT of turkey to eat!
I really wish I was at your house right now for not only the butternut squash stuffing, but for the pumpkin dessert! What a beautiful spread!!
Thank you! You should come over with some of your delicious desserts…it would be quite the party!
I’m so glad your turkey turned out! I was nervous too (not for you, because obviously, you’re a genius in the kitchen), because this was my first time cooking a turkey. Happily for me, it turned out perfectly! Much better than anything I’ve eaten at my aunt’s! Unfortunately, unlike you, I didn’t host, so I don’t have the plethora of leftovers, but I think I will utilize some of those ideas the with the turkey I did manage to snag with my pre-packed tupperware
I’m also dog-sitting this weekend, and, oh my goodness, do they have an amateur cook’s dream kitchen!
Also, happy belated birthday to Dan. If you’re around during Christmas, we should get coffee or something/
Sorry, grammatical errors galore.
A dog + a beautiful kitchen = heavenly.
Glad your turkey turned out!!
I unfortunately won’t be in Minnesota until sometime next year… Dan used up all of his vacation time for the wedding and honeymoon. But we definitely need to meet up sometime — in Ithaca, Boston or Minnetonka!
Well that’s a good reason! I look forward to seeing what you come up with for Christmas dinner!
I quite literally heated up my leftovers and piled them on a bed of romaine this afternoon for a huge salad. It was amazing! Here are the pictures – http://www.thestrengthoffaith.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-day-leftover-salad.html
I’m glad other people make potato pancakes with leftover mashed potatoes. I felt like I was the only one in the world when I first made them for my hubs. He is so sheltered! haha
Even though I was cooking for 4 yesterday, we also cooked for an army. I’m glad you guys had fun!
So far…I just put some leftover cranberry sauce in my oats this morning, which was sweet and tasty! I love all your ideas, thanks!
im definitely going for the turkey, brie and cranberry quesadillas!
Never heard of tetrazzini, but it sounds like something I will want to try. Can’t wait to see that. I actually wish I had snagged more leftovers from my parent’s house so I could try these recipes!
Since the Hub and I are both sick with a cold I made Thanksgiving Soup! It’s broth with turkey and thickened with croutons made out of stuffing and mashed potatoes (I browned little squares of them in garlic, onion, and evoo). It’s all seasoned with rosemary and thyme. It may sound weird but it was totally delicious.
I don’t think it sounds weird– I think it sounds delicious!
i miss you.
and the mashed potatoes.
and i want a rosemary salt ithaca bakery bagel.
and i just realized i haven’t spoken to you yet today.
this does not feel right.
No, it does not feel right.
And now I want a rosemary salt bagel.